Sports
Limerick FC Win Sporting Limerick Cup in Dominant Fashion
Limerick FC Win Sporting Limerick Cup in Dominant Fashion – Young Limerick FC Defender Tomas O’Connor holds the Sporting Limerick Cup after the Blues emphatic 8-2 victory
Limerick FC Win Sporting Limerick Cup in Dominant Fashion
By I Love Limerick Correspondent Jordan Mac Cormaic
Limerick FC have won the Sporting Limerick Cup after beating Janesboro 8-2 in the final at Markets Field last night.
There was an early setback for Limerick as they trailed after 60 seconds, with ‘Boro captain Clarke capitalising on a lucky break to slot beyond Blues keeper Tommy Holland. After Seán McSweeney saw his shot held, Janesboro should have made it 2-0 on 14 minutes when John Connery got to the by-line and whipped in a back-post cross for the free Clarke but he headed wide from close range.
Immediately, Limerick were level as Ian Turner cut in from the left wing and hit a shot from 20-yards which bounced past John Mulready. On 22 minutes, the ‘keeper saved from Garbhán Coughlan before skipper Shane Duggan dragged a shot wide. Holland then produced a stunning save to stop Connery’s shot which seemed destined for the top corner.
On the half-hour, Blues striker Stephen Kenny fired over from 25-yards, before Limerick went close to a lead goal on 32. Good build-up from the Blues ended with midfielder Mulhall being denied well by the ‘keeper who then got down smartly pushing Coughlan’s shot behind. From the resulting corner, O’Connor headed just over.
But Limerick did take an advantage into the half as Sean McSweeney slipped in Coughlan on the left side of the box and he got past the ‘keeper before squaring for Mulhall to finish. The game was level again four minutes after the restart when Connery crossed for sub Ben Quirke to score at the back stick.
However, two goals in three minutes quickly put Limerick right back in total control. The first came from the penalty spot on 53 minutes after Coughlan played in Mulhall who was taken out by the ‘keeper, the forward stepping up himself to coolly finish. Substitute Clyde O’Connell then blasted in from close range after McSweeney had flicked on Kenny’s right-wing cross.
Things went from bad to worse for ‘Boro as it was 5-2 on 66 minutes. Substitute Liam McCartan went on a scorching run from halfway, getting to the edge of the box where he struck a shot off the bottom of the upright with Adam Foley on hand to follow in with a good finish from a tough angle.
Coughlan then deservedly got in on the scoring act when young Blues defender Karl O’Sullivan broke through midfield and fed Foley on the left of the area, his pass across goal finished nicely by Limerick’s No.12. O’Sullivan played the assist for Coughlan’s second and the Blues’ seventh on 87 minutes as his chip was finished clinically, and there was still time for one more as Foley produced a fine individual goal to cap an eye-catching cameo.
Limerick will now be looking to take the momentum of winning the Sporting Limerick Cup into their game against the unbeaten Cork City on Friday night at 8 pm live on eirSport.
To view highlights of the match click here
To read more Limerick Sports stories click here